Zero Tolerance Knives - Premium American-Made Folding Knives & Fixed Blades

KnifeArt was one of the first authorized Zero Tolerance dealers when ZT launched in 2006, and we have carried the line ever since. Zero Tolerance fits perfectly into our curated lineup of premium American-made brands alongside Chris Reeve Knives, Spartan Blades, and Winkler Knives. We carry the full range of current production ZT models as well as their limited and special editions, which tend to sell out fast. When you buy Zero Tolerance knives from KnifeArt, you are buying from people who know these knives firsthand and have been selling them since the beginning. Most orders ship the same business day. All Zero Tolerance knives qualify for free U.S. shipping.

About Zero Tolerance: Built in Oregon, Designed for Professionals

History and Heritage

Zero Tolerance Knives was launched in 2006 by Kai USA Ltd. as a premium brand built for military, law enforcement, and first responder professionals. Every ZT knife is designed and manufactured at the Kai USA facility in Tualatin, Oregon, making it one of the few knife brands where the entire production process happens under one roof in the United States. The brand name says it all - zero tolerance for compromise in materials, engineering, and performance. The original ZT lineup included collaborations between custom knifemaker Ken Onion and Strider Knives, and those early models like the ZT 0200 and 0301 set the tone for everything that followed. ZT quickly earned a reputation for being "proudly overbuilt" - heavier, stronger, and built from better materials than what most production knife companies were willing to use.

Since then, Zero Tolerance has expanded well beyond tactical knives into everyday carry folders without ever compromising on quality. The introduction of the ZT 0350 in 2009 was a turning point, combining a more compact design with premium materials and bringing the brand to a much wider audience. Today the lineup includes frame lock flippers, button lock folders, assisted opening knives, and the new DuraLock platform, all made with the same attention to detail and premium materials that defined ZT from day one.

Designer Collaborations

One of the things that sets Zero Tolerance apart is the caliber of custom knife designers they work with. ZT has collaborated with Rick Hinderer, Dmitry Sinkevich, Todd Rexford, Les George, Tim Galyean, RJ Martin, and others - names that carry serious weight in the custom knife world. These are not licensing deals where a designer puts their name on a factory knife. These are real collaborations where the designer is involved in the engineering, testing, and refinement of the knife from concept through production. The result is a production knife that delivers custom knife design and performance at a fraction of the custom price.

Materials and Manufacturing

Zero Tolerance uses premium blade steels across the entire lineup. Steels have included CPM 20CV, CPM S35VN, CPM S45VN, CPM MagnaCut, CPM M4, CPM CruWear, and CPM 3V, with ZT regularly adopting the latest high-performance steels as they become available. Handle materials range from titanium and carbon fiber to G-10 and micarta, and hardware is stainless steel throughout. The blades ride on KVT ball-bearing systems for fast, smooth deployment. Every knife goes through precision CNC machining, heat treatment, bevel grinding, and multiple quality control inspections before it leaves the Tualatin facility. ZT's fit and finish is consistently among the best in production knives - blade centering, lockup, and action are all dialed in tight out of the box. Every Zero Tolerance knife is backed by a limited lifetime warranty covering defects in materials and manufacturing.

Zero Tolerance Folding Knives

Each ZT model number represents a knife series, not just a single knife. Within each series you may find variations with different blade steels, blade coatings, handle materials, and colorways - for example, a standard stonewash finish on one version and a black DLC or Tiger Stripe coating on another, or a G-10 handle on one variant and titanium or carbon fiber on the next. KnifeArt stocks the full range of available configurations across each series so you can find the exact combination that fits your preference.

ZT 0350 Series - Assisted Opening

The ZT 0350 series is one of the most recognized assisted opening knives in the industry and the model that brought Zero Tolerance into the mainstream EDC market. Originally introduced in 2009, the 0350 features a 3.25-inch premium stainless steel blade with SpeedSafe assisted opening that deploys the blade fast and smooth with one hand. The G-10 handle scales sit over a stainless steel frame with a liner lock, and at just under 6 ounces it is substantial without being excessive. The 0350 series is available in multiple blade finishes and handle variations. The 0350 has remained in continuous production for over 15 years for a reason - it works, it lasts, and it is one of the best values in American-made assisted opening folding knives.

ZT 0357 Series - Assisted Opening

The ZT 0357 series is another assisted opening folder in the Zero Tolerance lineup, built as a straightforward working knife for tough conditions. The 0357 features a 3.25-inch premium stainless steel blade with SpeedSafe assisted opening and a flipper for fast, reliable one-handed deployment every time. The G-10 handle and liner lock keep it simple and functional. The 0357 series is available in different blade finishes and coatings, giving you options within a proven assisted opening platform at a value price point for a ZT knife.

ZT 0044 Series - Button Lock

The ZT 0044 series features a button lock opening mechanism designed by Tim Galyean that has become one of the most popular knives in the Zero Tolerance lineup. The 0044 features a 3.25-inch premium stainless steel blade that deploys on a KVT bearing system via flipper tab, and the titanium handle keeps the weight down while providing serious strength. The button lock is clean, positive, and easy to operate one-handed - press the button to release, and the blade closes smoothly. The 0044 series is available in several variations with different blade coatings and finishes. This is the ZT to look at if you want a modern button lock folder with premium materials and American manufacturing.

ZT 0203 Series - DuraLock Ambidextrous Bar Lock

The ZT 0203 series is built around the DuraLock ambidextrous bar lock mechanism - a robust lock design that works equally well for left and right handed users and is engineered for heavy use. The 0203 features a 3.5-inch high-performance tool steel blade that is a step up in toughness over the stainless options, paired with a G-10 handle. The ambidextrous bar lock sets the DuraLock apart from traditional frame locks and liner locks, making it accessible to every user regardless of hand dominance. The series includes variations in blade coating, blade finish, and handle color. The DuraLock is ZT's answer to users who want a lock mechanism built for hard work, and the 0203 series delivers on that promise.

ZT 0117 Series - Sleek DuraLock

The ZT 0117 series is a sleek DuraLock model that brings the ambidextrous bar lock platform into a slimmer, more refined package with a premium stainless steel blade and carbon fiber handle. The angular design was inspired by stealth aviation, and the result is a knife that looks as sharp as it cuts. Where the 0203 is built for hard use, the 0117 is designed for refined everyday carry without sacrificing the DuraLock's strength. The 0117 series is available in different blade finishes and handle treatments, giving you options within the same sleek platform.

ZT 0308 Series - Framelock Flipper

The ZT 0308 series is a framelock flipper and the big ZT for people who want more blade. The 0308 features a 3.75-inch premium stainless steel blade on a titanium frame lock, giving you a knife that handles larger tasks without flinching. The KVT bearing system keeps the flipper action fast despite the size, and the deep carry pocket clip keeps the knife riding low in the pocket. The titanium framelock provides rock-solid lockup with the strength to match the oversized blade. The series has included variations in blade steel, handle material, and finish over the years. This is the ZT series for users who prefer a larger framelock flipper and are not willing to sacrifice quality for size.

ZT 0450 Series - Sinkevich Flipper

The ZT 0450 series is a Dmitry Sinkevich design based on the award-winning ZT 0454 limited edition. The 0450 features a flipper opening with the KVT ball-bearing pivot system for smooth, reliable one-handed deployment - the blade glides out nearly frictionless with just a pull of the flipper and a roll of the wrist. The compact 3.25-inch blade and lightweight titanium handle make it one of the lightest and sleekest knives in the ZT lineup and a standout EDC. The titanium frame lock with hardened steel lockbar insert provides solid lockup, and the deep carry pocket clip is reversible for left or right hand carry. The series includes variations in blade steel, handle material, and finish.

ZT 0452 Series - Large Sinkevich Flipper

The ZT 0452 series takes the Dmitry Sinkevich design and scales it up for users who want more blade with the same flipper opening action. The 0452 features a 4.1-inch blade - nearly a full inch longer than the 0450 - with the same KVT ball-bearing pivot for smooth, fast one-handed opening. The distinctive 5-spoke pivot hardware gives the 0452 a look that sets it apart from anything else in the lineup. The titanium frame lock with hardened steel lockbar insert ensures solid lockup, and the deep carry pocket clip is reversible. The series has included handle options from full titanium to carbon fiber over titanium, along with limited edition colorways.

ZT 0562 Series - Hinderer Framelock

The ZT 0562 series is a Rick Hinderer collaboration and one of the most successful Hinderer framelock designs in Zero Tolerance history. It features his exclusive "slicer" grind on a 3.5-inch blade that delivers outstanding slicing efficiency with a tough point. The flipper deploys on the KVT ball-bearing system for fast, fluid one-handed opening. The titanium framelock includes a Hinderer lockbar stabilizer to prevent over-extension, and the unique deep carry pocket clip mounts to the inside of the handle for an extra-low profile in the pocket. The 0562 series is available in multiple handle configurations and blade steels over the life of the series. This is the ZT series that put Zero Tolerance on the map for serious EDC users who want a Hinderer design without the custom knife price tag.

ZT 0393 Series - Hinderer Design Flipper

The ZT 0393 series is another Rick Hinderer design flipper, based on Hinderer's Maximus and Eklipse models. The 0393 features a 3.5-inch harpoon-style "spanto" blade - a hybrid of the spear point and tanto that offers maximum cutting power with a sturdy tip for piercing. The KVT ball-bearing system and flipper tab deliver smooth, fast one-handed opening. The titanium framelock handle with textured G-10 overlay provides a secure grip and a distinctive look, and the 0393 is designed to accept Hinderer custom hardware for users who want to personalize their knife. The series has included variations in handle materials, blade finishes, and limited edition colorways.

ZT 0545 Series - EDC Flipper

The ZT 0545 series is a slim, lightweight EDC flipper that represents the cutting edge of what Zero Tolerance can do in a pocket-friendly package. The 0545 features a 3.2-inch premium stainless steel blade on a carbon fiber and titanium frame that weighs just 2 ounces - one of the lightest knives ZT has ever made. The KVT ball-bearing flipper action is smooth and fast, and the extra-deep-carry pocket clip disappears in the pocket whether you are wearing jeans or dress pants. The series includes variations in handle color and finish.

ZT 0990 Series - Sleek Flipper

The ZT 0990 series is a sleek flipper based on the legendary award-winning ZT 0999 that was once unobtainable for most collectors. The 0990 streamlines that iconic design into a production knife with a skeletonized steel structure, carbon fiber scales with a steel overlay, and signature cutout windows in the blade and near the pivot. The exposed "floating bridge" near the top of the handle is a distinctive design element carried over from the original. The KVT ball-bearing flipper provides smooth, reliable opening, and the liner lock keeps the blade secure. The series includes variations in blade finish and handle treatment.

ZT 0022 Series - Compact Flipper

The ZT 0022 series is a Tim Galyean design that packs a lot of knife into a compact frame. The 0022 features a sub-2-inch premium stainless steel blade that deploys via flipper tab, and the titanium handle keeps it light enough to disappear in your pocket. This is the smallest knife series in the Zero Tolerance lineup but it does not feel like a compromise - the fit, finish, and action are pure ZT. The series includes variations in handle material and blade finish. If you want a premium American-made compact EDC that still carries the Zero Tolerance name and build quality, the 0022 series is the one.

Zero Tolerance Fixed Blades

ZT 0004 Series - Outdoor and Bushcraft Fixed Blade

The ZT 0004 series is built for serious outdoor and bushcraft use. The 0004 features a 4.2-inch clip point blade in a premium high-toughness steel with a Cerakote coating for added protection. The 3D-machined canvas micarta handle is contoured to fill the hand comfortably, and the full tang can be stripped down with an Allen wrench for cleaning, revealing a skeletonized steel tang ready for paracord wrapping. It ships with a Kansas-made leather sheath that supports left or right belt carry and scout carry, with Tek-Lok compatibility. At 9 inches overall, the 0004 series brings ZT's quality standards to a premium American-made fixed blade platform. Variations within the series include different blade finishes and handle colors.

ZT 0006 Series - Military-Inspired Field Knife

The ZT 0006 series is a military-inspired fixed blade that pays homage to the original ZT-9 bayonet design but is built as a standalone field knife. Named after its 6-inch blade, the 0006 uses a premium high-toughness tool steel with a Cerakote coating for corrosion resistance. The blade is full tang and thick enough for batoning, chopping, and serious camp work. The G-10 handle has a rounded profile that fills the hand without being too bulky, with aggressive jimping for control with or without gloves and a steel guard for hand protection. It ships with a durable Kydex sheath with a secondary retention strap that supports left or right hand carry in high or low positions. The 0006 is the biggest and most rugged fixed blade series in the Zero Tolerance lineup, and the series includes variations in blade finish, blade coating, and handle color.

Why Buy Zero Tolerance Knives from KnifeArt

We have been an authorized Zero Tolerance dealer since the brand launched in 2006. That is nearly two decades of selling ZT knives, and we stock both the standard production models and the limited and special editions that sell out fast at other dealers. When you buy Zero Tolerance from KnifeArt, you are getting an authorized dealer with deep product knowledge, fast shipping where we strive to ship every order the same business day, free shipping on all ZT knives within the U.S., and the confidence that your knife comes from an authorized source with full warranty support. Zero Tolerance is one of the premium American-made brands that defines what KnifeArt is about - the best knives, from the best makers, backed by real product knowledge and service.

Frequently Asked Questions About Zero Tolerance Knives

Where are Zero Tolerance knives made?

Every Zero Tolerance knife is designed and manufactured at the Kai USA facility in Tualatin, Oregon. The entire production process from CNC machining through final quality control happens in that one facility. ZT is one of the few knife brands where 100% of production takes place in the United States.

Are Zero Tolerance knives worth the money?

Yes. Zero Tolerance knives use the same premium blade steels and handle materials found on custom knives costing two to five times as much. The fit and finish is consistently excellent - blade centering, lockup, and action are all dialed in out of the box. The designs come from world-class custom knife makers. Every knife carries a lifetime warranty and can be serviced in the USA directly through Kai USA's facility in Oregon - you are not sending your knife overseas or dealing with a third party. You are getting custom-level design and materials with production knife consistency and pricing, backed by domestic warranty support for as long as you own the knife.

What is the difference between Zero Tolerance and Kershaw?

Both brands fall under Kai USA, but they serve very different markets. The Zero Tolerance line is all-American - every knife is made in the USA at the Tualatin, Oregon facility using the best custom-knife quality materials: premium American-made blade steels, titanium and carbon fiber handles, KVT ball-bearing pivots, and stainless steel hardware throughout. Kershaw is a mass market brand that is largely foreign made with value-oriented materials - good knives for the price, but a completely different tier. If you want no compromises on materials, manufacturing, or performance, Zero Tolerance is the line.

What blade steels does Zero Tolerance use?

Zero Tolerance uses premium American-made blade steels across the lineup. Steels have included CPM 20CV, CPM S35VN, CPM S45VN, CPM MagnaCut, CPM M4, CPM CruWear, CPM 3V, and S30V among others. The specific steel varies by model and series, and ZT regularly adopts the latest high-performance steels as they become available. The common thread is that ZT consistently chooses steels that deliver the best combination of edge retention, toughness, and corrosion resistance for each knife's intended use.

Does Zero Tolerance have a warranty?

Yes. Every Zero Tolerance knife is backed by a limited lifetime warranty covering defects in materials and manufacturing for the original owner. Kai USA's warranty service is handled directly from their facility in Oregon.